Study Abroad: Adapting to Life in the UK

For any student thinking of studying abroad in the UK, there are some points that should be well understood before any definite plans are made. It's easy to get caught up in the romance, the excitement of going to London to study, to attend a prestigious university, but you're going to need to make some compromises if you really want to do it, and while these compromises are more than worth it for many young people who have the means and the opportunity to study in UK, the fact is that you should go in with both eyes open.

Chances are you've already considered some of the points on this list, but these are some of the most important things to contemplate before taking the plunge, so just make sure you've thought them through.

Culture Shock

For students who live in Canada and the US, or even Australia, the assumption may be that London is just going to be a bit like a city from your own backyard. While there will be some familiar components to UK culture, the only thing your homeland really has in common with the UK, we're sorry to say, is the language.

Don't kid yourself, it's going to take some time to adjust. Even little things like figuring out the difference between chips and crisps can be tricky, but there are a lot of social norms that will just seem alien to you. That's really part of the fun, though. There are actually America towns throughout the world, much like Chinatowns back home, where Americans can feel at home. However, if you really want to enjoy London, you probably won't want to spend much time there.

The Food

If you don't have a broad palette, it will be difficult to get used to studying abroad. The food you eat at home might not be available anywhere in the UK without finding specific ingredients and making it yourself from scratch, and you'll be confronted with all kinds of weird and exotic meals. There are a lot of jokes made about English food, but the culinary culture of the country has changed dramatically for the better in the last decade. Even so, you're going to be met with some weird stuff.

If you're a really picky eater, you'll want to get over that before you move to the UK. Try exposing yourself to some weird, out there stuff and see how you react. Once you build up an acceptance of new foods, you'll find it easy to enjoy new flavors and delicacies.

The Transport

Part of learning your way around the UK is learning your way around the transport. The public transportation system is actually vast and complex enough that you don't need to drive at all as long as you're staying in the UK. However, it can be very labyrinthine and easy to get lost in, so make sure you get a few maps and study them when you first arrive.